Louisville coaching staff returning

From a Louisville Bats press release:

Manager Rick Sweet and his entire coaching staff will return for the 2011 season with the Louisville Bats. Last season, Louisville finished with a 79-64 record, and won their third consecutive IL West Division Championship.

Sweet, 58, is 466-394 in six seasons as the Bats skipper and is the all-time winningest manager in Louisville franchise history. Following a nine-year playing career (1975-83) as a catcher, including three seasons in the majors with San Diego, New York-NL and Seattle, Sweet began managing in 1987 and owns a career mark of 1,515-1,449 in 22 seasons. His 1,515 wins rank fifth on the active Minor League manager’s win list.

“We are all happy to be back,” said Sweet. “This will be my seventh overall season in Louisville and the last three have been outstanding. Louisville is the best place to be and I’m looking forward to possibly moving there and becoming a full-time member of the community.”

Adrian “Smokey” Garrett returns for his ninth season as Louisville’s hitting coach. Garrett played 19 years of professional baseball (1961-79), including parts of eight seasons in the majors with Atlanta, Chicago-NL, Oakland and California.

Former Redbird Ted Power will enter his sixth season as Louisville’s pitching coach. Power enjoyed a 13-year Major League career, including five seasons (1983-87) with Cincinnati. Tomas Vera returns as head trainer for his third season in Louisville, while Gabe Moreno returns as strength and conditioning coach for his fourth season.

The 2011 season will mark the 12th year at Louisville Slugger Field and the 12th season as an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bats open their 2011 season at home on Thursday, April 7 vs. Toledo at 6:35.

My take: Rick Sweet is about as nice and positive as they come and he really knows the game and understands young players. Every player I’ve met that’s had him as a manager on their way up have only had high praise. This is a plus for the Reds to retain Sweet and the whole staff.

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